Tennis stars voice boycott threats over grand slam prize money

Top players including Aryna Sabalenka have signaled growing frustration with Grand Slam tournaments over prize money and governance. Speaking at the Italian Open, Sabalenka stated that a boycott could occur at some point. The comments come just over two weeks before the French Open amid recent prize adjustments that players have largely dismissed.

Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, made the strongest public comment yet during the Italian Open in Rome. She said players would consider a boycott if issues over revenue sharing and welfare persist. Defending French Open champion Coco Gauff and Australian Open winner Elena Rybakina have also expressed disappointment with recent changes at Roland Garros.

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Aryna Sabalenka on clay court at French Open with defiant expression about prize money boycott
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Sabalenka threatens French Open boycott over prize money

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World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and other top players have threatened to boycott the French Open, saying it may be the only way to force better revenue sharing after criticizing the tournament's 9.5% prize money increase.

Guy Forget, who led Roland-Garros from 2016 to 2021, has dismissed threats of a Grand Slam boycott by top players including Aryna Sabalenka. In comments to Tennis Actu, the former director called the idea bizarre and unnecessary. He argued that players already receive substantial pay and that external advisers fuel their demands.

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Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, and other top players have voiced disappointment over the French Open's 9.5% prize money increase announced on April 16. They argue it falls short of the tournament's revenue growth and fails to address broader structural issues. The players demand better revenue sharing and consultation in decision-making.

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships has been disrupted by numerous withdrawals and retirements, starting with top seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. Additional players, including Daria Kasatkina and Sara Bejlek, have pulled out due to injuries, allowing Mirra Andreeva and Belinda Bencic to advance via walkovers. The situation has sparked debate over the WTA schedule's demands.

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In a follow-up to her viral Australian Open frustration, Coco Gauff has intensified calls for better player privacy in tennis. Speaking after a press conference in Stuttgart, the American star said intrusions have 'gone too far' and expressed pride in sparking the ongoing debate.

Aryna Sabalenka overcame a disputed line call and a bright advertising board to beat Barbora Krejcikova 6-2, 6-3 in the second round of the Italian Open on Thursday.

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The WTA Dubai Open 2026 has faced significant disruptions with around 26 players withdrawing due to injuries, illness, and fatigue. The tight schedule between the Doha Open and Dubai, with less than 24 hours between the Doha final on February 14 and Dubai's opening rounds on February 15, has drawn criticism from top players. Tournament officials have called for stricter penalties on late pullouts.

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